Sandeep Kaur had grown up seeing her father saluting the ‘sahibs’ and had thus always aspired to become one herself.

For Sandeep, daughter of a peon employed in Morinda sub-tehsil, the journey to making it to the IAS was tough. But it was her determination that paved the way.

Sandeep, who has secured 138th position at the all-India level, is the eldest of her three siblings and a pillar of support for her father.

“Although my father was far from influential, he always dreamt big. He had been an immense source of inspiration. During my childhood, he would cuddle me saying that I was born to fulfil his dreams. He had once told me that he wanted to see me on a position where people would salute me and that became my driving force,” said Sandeep.

Sandeep, who is a civil engineer from Panjab Engineering College, had a one-point goal in her life - to join the civil services.